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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Cari Boyce
Date: May 2, 2002 Phone: (919) 733-5612
EASLEY URGES "FAST TRACK" FOR LEANDRO
School Lawsuit Would Go Straight to NC's Highest Court
While State Continues Education Progress
(Raleigh) Gov. Mike Easley today proposed that the long-running school funding lawsuit known as Leandro be "fast tracked" straight to the Supreme Court and that state officials cooperate with the trial judge awaiting final ruling.
In a letter to the Attorney General, the Governor urged that the case be presented directly to North Carolina's Supreme Court so that the justices can quickly and conclusively bring finality to the case.
In addition, Easley asked the Attorney General's office not to seek a "stay" of the trial judge's order now and, instead, keep the judge updated on the State's education policy initiatives as his recent ruling requested. The Governor also vowed to continue pursuing aggressively his education agenda in the upcoming "short" session, particularly the More At Four statewide pre-kindergarten program for at-risk four-year-olds and reducing class size. Both programs are consistent with the trial court's order.
"A fast track appeal with no immediate 'stay' will allow the parties to the lawsuit to get a quick, definitive ruling and put an end to this protracted litigation. At the same time, I will continue working to protect classrooms from budget cuts, expand programs for at-risk children, reduce class size and cooperate with the trial judge. The 'short' session will give the legislature an opportunity to show its good faith in acting aggressively on these issues," Easley said.
A copy of Governor Easley's letter to the Attorney General is attached.
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Michael F. Easley
Governor
State of North Carolina
Office of the Governor
Governor's Press Office
State Capitol, Raleigh, NC 27603-8001
(919) 733-5612 - Toll Free 1-800-662-7005
FAX (919) 733-5166
For Release: IMMEDIATE Contact: Cari Boyce
Date: May 2, 2002 Phone: (919) 733-5612
EASLEY URGES "FAST TRACK" FOR LEANDRO
School Lawsuit Would Go Straight to NC's Highest Court
While State Continues Education Progress
(Raleigh) Gov. Mike Easley today proposed that the long-running school funding lawsuit known as Leandro be "fast tracked" straight to the Supreme Court and that state officials cooperate with the trial judge awaiting final ruling.
In a letter to the Attorney General, the Governor urged that the case be presented directly to North Carolina's Supreme Court so that the justices can quickly and conclusively bring finality to the case.
In addition, Easley asked the Attorney General's office not to seek a "stay" of the trial judge's order now and, instead, keep the judge updated on the State's education policy initiatives as his recent ruling requested. The Governor also vowed to continue pursuing aggressively his education agenda in the upcoming "short" session, particularly the More At Four statewide pre-kindergarten program for at-risk four-year-olds and reducing class size. Both programs are consistent with the trial court's order.
"A fast track appeal with no immediate 'stay' will allow the parties to the lawsuit to get a quick, definitive ruling and put an end to this protracted litigation. At the same time, I will continue working to protect classrooms from budget cuts, expand programs for at-risk children, reduce class size and cooperate with the trial judge. The 'short' session will give the legislature an opportunity to show its good faith in acting aggressively on these issues," Easley said.
A copy of Governor Easley's letter to the Attorney General is attached.
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